Home /Compare /Mustard vs Copper

Mustard vs Copper: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Mustard and Copper is hue — Mustard is a warm yellow, while Copper is a warm orange. Mustard (#FFDB58) has an HSL of 47°, 100%, 67%, whereas Copper (#B87333) sits at 29°, 57%, 46%.

Mustard#FFDB58
Copper#B87333
#FFDB58Blended: #DCA746#B87333
ShareSave to PinterestTweet

Mustard vs Copper: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Mustard Copper
BrightnessLight (L=67%) — airy, soft, approachableMedium (L=46%) — balanced, versatile
SaturationVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catchingModerately saturated (S=57%) — balanced in intensity
Hue familyYellowOrange
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#FFDB58#B87333
RGB255, 219, 88184, 115, 51

Can you use Mustard and Copper together?

Copper text on Mustard
Mustard text on Copper
Contrast Ratio:2.80:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Mustard and Copper Apart

  • ●Look at lightness first: Mustard is noticeably lighter.
  • ●Check saturation: Mustard looks more vivid and saturated.
  • ●Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 18° between them, which changes the perceived temperature.
  • ●Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

Mustard or Copper: Which to Use and Where

Four real design scenarios, with the recommended pick based on hue, saturation, and WCAG contrast.

◆Branding & logos
PickMustard

Mustard is more saturated (100% HSL vs 57%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Copper can feel washed out when printed small.

▢Web UI & body text backgrounds
PickCopper

Copper hits a 3.79:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Mustard only reaches 1.35:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.

⬡Fashion & apparel
PickMustard

Mustard is a warm tone that flatters spring/summer collections and warmer skin undertones, while Copper leans warmer and is better suited to autumn/winter layering.

▣Interior design & walls
PickCopper

Copper is the more muted of the two (57% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Mustard's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.

When to Use Mustard vs Copper in Design

Use Mustard for:
●Warning states & highlights
●Children's and summer themes
●Happy, optimistic branding
●Taxi, logistics, signage
●Accent color in palettes
Use Copper for:
●Call-to-action buttons
●Autumn and harvest themes
●Food, citrus, warmth branding
●Youthful energetic campaigns
●Friendly notification badges

Mustard and Copper Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Mustard#FFDB58

Mustard (#FFDB58) is a light, vivid yellow with a warm undertone — it feels airy, soft, approachable and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints
Copper#B87333

Copper (#B87333) is a medium, moderately saturated orange with a warm undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and balanced in intensity.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints

Mustard and Copper WCAG Contrast Ratios

Text legibility depends on the contrast ratio between foreground and background. WCAG 2.1 AA requires at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text; AAA requires 7:1. Use these numbers to choose accessible combinations for your design.

Sample text preview
Mustard text on white
1.35:1Fail
Sample text preview
Mustard text on black
15.53:1AAA
Sample text preview
Copper text on white
3.79:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Copper text on black
5.54:1AA
Sample text preview
Mustard text on Copper
2.8:1Fail
Sample text preview
Copper text on Mustard
2.8:1Fail

Explore Mustard and Copper individually

Each color has a dedicated page with shades, tints, CSS name, pairings, and color psychology.

Mustard color page#FFDB58 · shades, tints, pairingsCopper color page#B87333 · shades, tints, pairings

More Mustard and Copper Comparisons

TanvsMustardTanvsCopperGoldvsMustardCoppervsRustMustardvsTealRustvsCopperMustardvsNavyCoppervsGoldMustardvsRustCoppervsNavyMustardvsSandCoppervsTeal

Mustard vs Copper FAQ

What is the difference between mustard and copper?+
The main difference between Mustard and Copper is hue — Mustard is a warm yellow, while Copper is a warm orange. Mustard (#FFDB58) has an HSL of 47°, 100%, 67%, whereas Copper (#B87333) sits at 29°, 57%, 46%.
Is mustard darker than copper?+
No. Copper is the darker of the two at 46% lightness, while Mustard sits higher at 67%.
Are mustard and copper the same color?+
No. Mustard is #FFDB58 and Copper is #B87333. They differ by 18° in hue, 21% in lightness, and 43% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, mustard or copper?+
Mustard is more saturated. In HSL, Mustard has 100% saturation and Copper has 57% — Mustard is the more vivid of the two, while Copper reads as more muted.
Is mustard warm or cool?+
Mustard (#FFDB58) is a warm yellow. Its hue sits at 47° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Is copper warm or cool?+
Copper (#B87333) is a warm orange. Its hue sits at 29° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Can you use mustard and copper together?+
Yes. Mustard (yellow) and Copper (orange) can work as a complementary or analogous pair. Use one as the dominant tone and the other as a 10–20% accent to keep the palette balanced.
What color family does mustard belong to?+
Mustard belongs to the yellow family. Its HSL is 47°, 100%, 67% — a warm tone within the broader yellow group.
What is the hex code for mustard?+
The hex code for Mustard is #FFDB58. In RGB, that's rgb(255, 219, 88), and in HSL it's hsl(47, 100%, 67%).
What is the hex code for copper?+
The hex code for Copper is #B87333. In RGB, that's rgb(184, 115, 51), and in HSL it's hsl(29, 57%, 46%).